Amid protests in Tirana, Rama seeks "culprits" even within his own ranks

In a meeting on digital infrastructure with public administration employees, Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday took a dig at several mayors who, according to him, have become a problem for the community, as they reside in Tirana. He called this a recurring concern that has come from communities in various municipalities, mainly those in the southeast of the country.

"It is very important that this practice ends," Rama declared.

As some of those present in the hall began to laugh, the Prime Minister ironically added that he was closing the event with a sweet smile, which he hoped would not turn into a bitter smile.

These criticisms of the prime minister come at a time when thousands of citizens have been protesting for 25 days in the streets of Tirana against his government and, according to civil society representatives, they cannot be seen as separate from this event.

Afrim Krasniqi, a political scientist and head of the Institute for Political Studies, told BIRN that Rama is in fact looking for a "scapegoat" to delegate failures and criticism for corruption and abuse to, in case the protests expand.

"The delegated names are ideal victims. They have no support in the party or in the public, and they can be recycled into executive positions as happened with the mayor of Vlora," said Krasniqi.

He explained to BIRN that unlike the case when ministers are penalized and Rama is held responsible, if mayors are penalized, the prime minister avoids direct responsibility and buys time.

Over the past three weeks, Rama has responded to the popular pressure of the marathon protest with propaganda techniques, accusing the protesters of being incited by external enemies of Albania, such as the Greeks or Iranians, by alleged disinformation methods, or by influencers.

With the latest criticism, Rama seems to be looking for "internal enemies" to deflect blame.

"Rama is also looking for an internal culprit, in this situation when he has the people against him," said Rigels Xhemollari, leader of the "Civic Resistance" organization.

According to Xhemollari, the prime minister is acting similarly to what he did in the case of the student protest, when he found enemies in the rectors and deans to oppose the students.

"He is trying to get his permanent position before the citizens, that I am good and those who govern you are bad, so I will criticize them or replace them, because they are not close to your problems," emphasized Rigels Xhemollari on the current approach of the prime minister.

According to political scientist Krasniqi, Rama's criticism of mayors does not come as a result of an approach of reflection and correction of the pyramidal career system, but more due to the need for party mobilization and redistribution of protest pressure.

He added that on the eve of the 2027 local elections, it is no longer important for Rama to find capable mayors, but those with political power.

"In 2027, Rama is not interested in capable mayors, but strong political managers. So his focus is political survival and not reforming the system and decentralization," Krasniqi said.

"Even in the debates about the new territorial reform, the legal criterion that the mayor must be a resident of the area for at least 6 months before the elections has been weakened, as it has been with the current law and has been constantly ignored," he concluded. Reporter.al